California Fire News

Posted: 10 Jul 2007 02:00 AM CDT

Zaca Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 20:00 hrs

Summary

July 9, 2007 8:00 am

Helicopter Accident

On July 8, 2007, at 4:07 pm, a contract helicopter was involved in an accident at the Figueroa Helibase. The pilot and co-pilot were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

A joint accident investigation team is handling the investigation. The restrictions on air operations have been lifted. The Figueroa Helibase will remain closed until further notice.

Fire Update

The fire has now burned into the San Rafael wilderness, with the north flank of the fire currently burning in heavy, 40 year old fuels with a high dead to live ratio. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low and at a point that is usually not seen until late in the summer.

The fire is continuing to back down to the Sisquoc River. Strong attempts will be made to contain this portion to prevent fire spread into fuels which haven't burned since 1966. The fire continues to spread to the east and northeast and has crossed Manzana Creek moving toward the Sisquoc River. The fire has reached a portion of the Marre fire of 1993. Firefighters are taking advantage of the younger fuels and are attempting to "turn the corner" by applying direct line construction techniques. The south and west sides of the fire continued to be successfully held.

Figueroa Recreational Area Campgrounds are closed (as of 7/6/2007), which includes portions of San Rafael Wilderness. Roads are closed into these areas, and travelers passing near are reminded to be alert for fire equipment and personnel in the area. Firefighters continue to have success at holding the fire on the North side of the San Rafael Ridge, South of the Sisquoc River, and East of Schoolhouse Canyon. The fire though is threatening the Cody Cabin and the historic Manzana School House.

Fire commanders continue to plan contingencies in case objectives are not met. The next couple of days are critical on achieving the objective of holding the east side of the fire.

U.S. Forest Service, Santa Barbara County Fire, and CAL FIRE, continue to operate in unified command.

Resources assigned to the fire include:

44 Hand Crews, 117 Engines, 34 Dozers, 37 Water Tenders, 15 Helicopters (operational during daylight hours only), 6 Air Tankers (operational during daylight hours only).

For more information please contact the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 or go to http://www.fire.ca.gov/ or http://www.inciweb.org/.

Santa Maria Amateur Radio Operators assisting with Zaca Fire

Amateur radio operators affiliated with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) are assisting firefighters on the Zaca Fire. Volunteers from the Santa Barbara section of the American Radio Relay League are staffing roadblocks at the intersection of Figueroa Mountain Road and SR 154 and at the intersection of Happy Cyn and Baseline Roads. The roadblocks were established at the request of Santa Barbara County Fire Department. ARES is a public service organization composed of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment to provide communication support and other assistance when disaster strikes. For more information about ARES see http://www.santamariaares.org/.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Human Caused.
Date of Origin	07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs.
Location	15 miles north east of Buellton, CA.
Incident Commander	Howard Windsor

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,756
Size	8,200 acres
Percent Contained	30%
Estimated Containment Date	07/22/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Chaparral and Oak Woodlands. North Flank of the fire is burning in heavy, 40 year old fuels with high dead to live ratio. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low, and are at levels which are usually not seen until late in the summer.
Fire Behavior	The north flank of the fire continues to back down to the Sisquoc River. Plans will be developed on how to contain this portion to prevent it from spreading into fuels that have not been burned since 1966. The fire continues to spread to the east and northeast and has crossed Manzana Creek moving toward the Sisquoc River, which is a designated Wild and Scenic River. South and west sides of the fire continue to hold.
Significant Events	The pilots involved in the helicopter accident were treated and released. Their injuries were minor. Figueroa Recreational Area Campgrounds remain closed (as of 7/6/2007), which includes portions of San Rafael Wilderness. Roads closures into these areas remain in effect. Firefighters continue to have success at holding the fire on the North side to the Sisquoc River, the north side of Zaca Ridge, and East of School House Canyon. The East flank of the fire has crossed the Manzana Creek beyond the Cody Cabin moving northeast towards the Sisquoc River. Through the night of July 8, the fire continued to move east and has become established in the San Rafael Wilderness. Secondary lines are being built today on ridges outside the wilderness area.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continuing to build line to keep fire within the objectives by building direct and indirect line.
Projected Movement	The fire has the potential to grow larger in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Growth Potential	High.
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	Fire commanders continue to plan contingencies in case objectives are not met. The next couple of days are critical on achieving the objective of holding the east/northeast perimeter of the fire.
Remarks	A Joint Accident Investigation team is evaluating and investigating the helicopter accident. The air operations safety standdown that was initiated yesterday has been lifted, although the Figueroa helibase will remain closed until further notice pending accident investigative needs.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	2 mph NE
Current Temperature	66 degrees
Current Humidity	28 %

InciWeb: Update - Antelope Complex Wildland Fire

Posted: 10 Jul 2007 01:57 AM CDT

Antelope Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED

Credit: California Incident Managment Team

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Antelope Complex

Fire Information

Plumas National Forest

Phone: (530) 283-7882 / (530) 283-7883

A town meetingwas heldtonight at 7 p.m. at the Janesville Elementary Middle School gymnasium on Main Street in Janesville. Representatives of the County Office of Emergency Services and the Antelope Complex Incident Commanderwere on hand to discuss fire activity, operations, and outlook as well as evacuation plans with members of the public.

No evacuations are currently in place for the Janesville and Milford areas. A contingency plan has been prepared to provide adequate time for residents should it become necessary. Residents should prepare personal effects in advance, as well as plan to take livestock to the Lassen County Fairgrounds.

Rapid growth continued yesterday on the Antelope Complex, fueled by unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity. Active burning created smoke plume visible throughout the area. The fire is estimated to be22,366 acres and 21 percent contained.

A forest closure remains in effect for an approximately 60 square mile perimeter around Antelope Lake to ensure public safety. As of 6:00 p.m. Saturday July 7, a California Type 1 Management Team under Incident Commander Jeanne Pincha-Tulley assumed control of the Antelope Complex Wildland Fire in support of the Plumas National Forest. Spotting over containment lines has proven to be the most significant challenge.

Campers that left equipment at evacuated campsites around Antelope Lake as well as evacuated residents in the Hungry Creek, Frank Valley, Taylor Lake, and Wilcox Valley will also be permitted into the fire area at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday unless fire behavior becomes prohibitive. They will be escorted by CHP from the checkpoint on Genesee-Antelope Lake Road to campsites and residences for the immediate retrieval of personal property. Affected members of the public should call (530) 283-7882 or (530) 283-7883 for more information.

Statistics: Acres - 22,366 Containment - 21 percent Personnel - 1,487

Helicopters - 9 Crews - 40 Engines - 112 Dozers - 14

Outlook - Weather is predicted to be hot and dry with thunder storms predicted Monday and Tuesday. Extremely dry fuels are significantly affecting fire behavior.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/05/2007 at 0400 hrs.
Location	Antelope Lake Recreational Area
Incident Commander	Jeanne Pincha-tulley

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,386
Size	18,100 acres
Percent Contained	21%
Fuels Involved	Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels, snags, mixed conifers, large brush components. Extremely dry fuels.
Fire Behavior	An inversion remained over the fire for most of the day. A general north wind limited fire spread on the northern perimeter and caused the northeast portion of the fire to move primarily in a southerly direction. Intense burning with extensive torching occurred on active portions of the fire. The fire moved to the west across Middle Creek.
Significant Events	The fire made a run toward the south on the northeast perimeter due to north winds and on the west perimeter toward Franks Valley and Wilcox Valley. Hand and dozer line construction continued in all divisions. Burnout operations continued on the southwest perimeter. The Long, Slope, Creek and Meadow Fires were contained

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to establish anchor points on the Wheeler Fire to maximize use of roads, fuel treated areas, old burn scars and rocks. Continue to construct dozer and handline, secure and hold line. Patrol, mop-up and prep roads for burnout operations on southeast perimeter.
Projected Movement	The fire is expected to move 1.5 miles to the Northwest and approximately ½ mile in all other directions.
Growth Potential	Extreme
Terrain Difficulty	High
Remarks	Evacuations for the communities of Wilcox Valley, Taylor Lake, Franks Valley and Hungry Creek remain in effect with limited access for residents and coordinated through Law Enforcement. Evacuation plan with trigger points has been established for the community of Janesville with approximately 5,000 residents.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	Not available
Current Humidity	Not available

InciWeb: Update - Inyo Complex Wildland Fire

Posted: 10 Jul 2007 01:53 AM CDT

Inyo Complex Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 2315 hrs

Summary

A thunder and lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Friday afternoon, July 6, 2007, igniting approximately 10 fires being managed as the Inyo Complex. As of Monday night, the two fires being managed as as the Inyo Complex include the Sage Fire burning in Big Pine Canyon and the Seven/Oak Fires burning west and north of Independence, on both sides of US 395.

Evacuations: The following areas remain in evacuation status- Baker Creek Campground, Big Pine Canyon including all campgrounds, Glacier Lodge, Bernasconi Center, North Fork of Oak Creek Canyon including Oak Creek Campground, Upper and Lower Grey's Meadow Campground, Onion Valley Campground, Seven Pines, Independence Creek Campground, and

Black Rock and Mt. Whitney Fish Hatcheries.

No communities are in evacuation status at this time.

US 395 is open at this time, but is subject to closure if necessary for fire or smoke.

The roads up Big Pine Canyon, the North Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, and Onion Valley Road remain closed to the public.

No wilderness permits for the John Muir Wilderness are being issued for the trailheads between Baker Creek and Georges Creek, until at least July 12.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	07/06/2007 at 130 hrs.
Location	Independence and Big Pine, CA
Incident Commander	Unified Command

Current Situation

Total Personnel	811
Size	35,176 acres
Percent Contained	71%
Estimated Containment Date	07/11/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Brush, timber, and grass
Fire Behavior	Interior smokes seen but present little threat. Interior fuel beds remain highly receptive to ignition.
Significant Events	Independence water system sustained significant damage that State and County officials continue to mitigate. No evacuations; US 395 remains open.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue community protection. Perimeter control. Containment efforts.
Growth Potential	Medium
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Containment Target	Yes
Remarks	Very good progress has been made toward containment. Continued lighter winds and cooler temps have moderated fire behavior. Changes in acreage are due to infra-red flight at 7:30 Monday morning.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	12 mph S
Current Temperature	97 degrees
Current Humidity	8 %

Out of State News - Alabaugh Fire has killed one civilian and injured two firefighters

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 11:09 PM CDT

One Killed In Black Hills Wildfire

A wildfire burning in the southern Black Hills has grown to 3,000 acres.

The "Alabaugh Fire" has killed one civilian and injured two firefighters.

It has also destroyed twenty homes and forced the evacuation of at least fifty homes in an area five miles southwest of Hot Springs. Evacuees are being sheltered in the Mueller Community Center in Hot Springs.

The fire grew quickly overnight. It had burned about 100 acres as of 10 p.m. Saturday. The fire is burning along both sides of Highway 71.

Beth Hermanson of the South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire said, "We have a fire out there with ever-changing winds and thunderstorms moving through, so we've got weather, we've got 80-plus degree temperatures and real dry fuel so it's not a good combination."

NEWS - Spoiled meat Truck Flips, Sparks Brush Fire

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 10:42 PM CDT

MEAT TRUCK FLIPPED

KNSD -ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- A trash truck overturned on state Route 78 Monday afternoon sparking a brush fire, according to the San Diego Police Department.The California Highway Patrol responded to the incident on the 78 at San Pasqual Valley and San Pasqual roads around 3:30 p.m.

The garbage truck, which was carrying an estimated ten tons of expired meats and meat products, landed on its roof, scattering debris across both lanes.
The fire spread up the walls of the valley hillsides. Crews from Calfire as well from all over the county responded. Air tankers, helicopters, and more than 200 firefighters on the ground worked to put out the flames.
The CHP shut down the 78 in both directions as a result of this crash and fire. The blaze had burned 80 acres by 8 p.m.
According to Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire Department, fire officials did not have to order any evacuations.
Fire crews expect the fire to be fully contained by tonight and out by tomorrow.
Police said the driver of the truck was pulled to safety and was taken to the hospital.
When the fire crews leave, CalTrans said a tow truck will come in to upright the truck. After that, Caltrans workers will come in with a loader and sweeper to clean up the spilled meats.

NEWS - Zaca Fire Reaches 9,500 Acres

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 10:40 PM CDT

(AP) BUELLTON, Calif. Authorities say a wildfire burning in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County has grown to 9,500 acres.

The Zaca Fire is moving northeast in the San Rafael Wilderness Area. Firefighters hampered by steep, rocky terrain are trying to keep it from crossing the Sisquac River.

Officials say more than 20 unoccupied cabins in the Zaca Lake Retreat and the historic Manzana Schoolhouse were threatened, but there were no evacuations.

Air firefighting operations resumed today after a helicopter crash yesterday left two pilots with minor injuries.

Officials say the blaze began Wednesday at a ranch northeast of Buellton when sparks from grinding equipment ignited nearby brush.

It is 30 percent contained.

NEWS - Canyon Country Brush Fire Fully Contained

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 10:35 PM CDT

Canyon Country Brush Fire Fully Contained

(CBS) CANYON COUNTRY, Calif. A fire that charred 815 acres and threatened about three dozen homes near Canyon Country was fully surrounded Monday as crews worked to douse hotspots and prevent flare-ups.

The fire was fully contained Sunday, according to Al Jackson of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Officials did not say when the fire would be extinguished.

The fire broke out Saturday afternoon along the southbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway near Vasquez Rocks County Park amid high heat, gusty winds and low humidity.

Several homes along Agua Dulce Road were temporarily threatened but none were damaged.

One firefighter twisted an ankle and a resident reported having chest pains during the fire.

An evacuation center was set up in Acton, but evacuees were allowed to return home Saturday night, said county fire Capt. Mike Brown.

Lower temperatures and higher humidity allowed firefighters to gain the upper hand.

[EDIS] Fire weather watch remains in effect through tuesday morning

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 07:35 PM CDT

[EDIS] Fire weather watch remains in effect through tuesday morning SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE MOUNTAIN TOP AND FRONT COUNTRY RANGER DISTRICTS OFTHE SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE SAN JACINTO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE SAN BERNARDINONATIONAL FOREST-SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE TRABUCO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE CLEVELAND NATIONALFOREST-VICTOR VALLEY-APPLE VALLEY-LUCERNE VALLEY-YUCCA VALLEY-MORONGO VALLEY-COACHELLA VALLEY-INCLUDING THE PALM SPRINGS SOUTH COAST DESERT DISTRICT-SAN DIEGO COUNTY DESERTS-INCLUDING THE ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK-

A TROPICAL WAVE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT MAY GENERATE SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THAT WOULD LAST INTO TUESDAY MORNING. THE AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN QUITE DRY BETWEEN 1500 FEET AND 15000 FEET THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING....MAKING WETTING RAINS UNLIKELY...AND DRY LIGHTNING POSSIBLE OVER MUCH OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA. WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS AT ELEVATIONS BELOW 1500 FEET THE MARINE LAYER IS EXPECTED TO KEEP THE AIR MASS MOIST ENOUGH TO SUPPRESS ANY LIGHTNING STARTED FIRES. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO FORM AGAIN TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...HOWEVER THE AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO BE MOIST ENOUGH TO GENERATE WETTING RAINS... WHICH WOULD LOWER THE THREAT OF DRY LIGHTNING AND EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE MOUNTAIN TOP AND FRONT COUNTRY RANGER DISTRICTS OFTHE SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE SAN JACINTO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE SAN BERNARDINONATIONAL FOREST-SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE TRABUCO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE CLEVELAND NATIONALFOREST-VICTOR VALLEY-APPLE VALLEY-LUCERNE VALLEY-YUCCA VALLEY-MORONGO VALLEY-COACHELLA VALLEY-INCLUDING THE PALM SPRINGS SOUTH COAST DESERT DISTRICT-SAN DIEGO COUNTY DESERTS-INCLUDING THE ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Orange, Imperial, Los Angeles,

Sent: 2007-07-09T17:14:50-07:00

[EDIS] fire weather watch - SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 07:32 PM CDT

[EDIS] Fire weather watch this evening through tuesday morning for dry lightning over valleys... mountains... and deserts

SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE PALOMAR AND DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICTS OF THECLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST-

.AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT AND TUESDAY. HOWEVER THE DEEP MOISTURE NOT EXPECTED TO ARRIVE UNTIL UNTIL TUESDAY AFTERNOON... SO DRY LIGHTNING WILL BE POSSIBLE TONIGHT AND TUESDAY MORNING. ... FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED... THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO FORM OVER THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS TONIGHT AND TUESDAY. DRY LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO FORM AGAIN TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...AND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. HOWEVER THE AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO BE MOIST ENOUGH TO GENERATE WETTING RAINS... WHICH SHOULD LOWER THE THREAT OF DRY LIGHTNING AND EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE PALOMAR AND DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICTS OF THECLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Orange, Imperial, Los Angeles,

Sent: 2007-07-09T17:14:49-07:00

NEWS- Inyo Complex Fire - Fire shelters deployed minor injuries

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 02:28 PM CDT

Story by kcra.com

INDEPENDENCE, Calif. --

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is investigating an incident Saturday afternoon that resulted in minor injuries to three firefighters.

At around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, three firefighters were injured and taken to the Fresno Burn Center by helicopter while fighting the fire line of the Inyo Complex near Independence. The three were assigned to two engines working together.

When the fire became critical, all nine firefighters from both engine units deployed their fire shelters. One of the engines was destroyed.

The Inyo Complex consists of about 10 fires sparked by a thunder and lightning storm Friday afternoon. The blaze forced the evacuation of campgrounds and residents.

Independence residents were allowed back home Saturday night.

Reader Photo's Zaca Fire

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 12:58 PM CDT

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ZACA FIRE

ZACA FIRE SUNSET
Credit: dsearls' photos

Rotary aircraft on ZACA Complex Fire
Credit: dsearls' photos

A reader has supplied some great photos of the Zaca Fire the one above apparently is of the sister ship of the Sikorsky Sky Crane destroyed on the Zaca Fire.

The whole series of pictures from the Zaca including some maps can be found here...

NEWS - ZACA HELICOPTER CRASH

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 12:46 PM CDT

Two slightly hurt in crash of firefighting helicopter

Original article at Lompoc Record By Steve Fairchild/Staff Writer


Firefighters spray foam on a helicopter that crashed near Midland School north of Los Olivos Sunday. The aircraft was working the Zaca Lake Fire. Its two occupants, a pilot and co-pilot, received only minor injuries, officials said. //Len Wood/Staff

A helicopter crash grounded air support and made fighting the Zaca Lake Fire more complicated for officials Sunday as crews completed their fifth day battling the blaze with no end in sight.

At 4:07 p.m. a contract firefighting helicopter working out of the Figueroa Helibase crashed during lift off, causing minor injuries to the pilot and co-pilot.

Captain Eli Iskow of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department was on the scene at the helibase, which is located on Figueroa Mountain Road.

"We had to use the Jaws of Life to get one of them out," Iskow said. "They ended up walking out, but are in good shape."

With only minor injuries, both men were taken by ambulance to a local hospital, according to a spokesperson from the unified command team. The command team is comprised of personnel from Cal Fire, Santa Barbara County and the United States Forest Service of Los Padres National Forest.

The heliport was shut down Sunday after the accident as a joint accident investigation team tried to figure out the cause of the crash. The helicopter was one of 15 helicopters that are being used to fight the blaze.

"That stopped all the air traffic from the air base," said Iskow. "All the air resources are grounded, which affects how we are going to deal with the fire." It was not known Sunday evening how long the air traffic would be grounded.

The fire, which began Wednesday, has now burned more than 6,500 acres and as of Sunday was 30 percent contained. It was only 15 percent contained Saturday.

However, Iskow said that fighting the blaze without air support could lead to more problems.

"It'll allow the fire to progress possibly in places where it might not have," Iskow said. "But they'll get them up in the air as fast as they can."

The community of Zaca Lake Resort, Figueroa Campground and various buildings in the Manzana Creek Drainage area continue to be threatened by the fire.

The fire is burning in steep, rocky and broken terrain. Firefighters reported continued success at holding the fire on the north side of the San Rafael Ridge, south of the Sisquoc River and east of Schoolhouse Canyon.

But the blaze has begun to burn into the San Rafael Wilderness and it crossed Manzana Creek, northeast of Zaca Lake, for the first time Sunday, Iskow said.

"We didn't want that crossed," said Iskow. "It will be a new ballgame tomorrow, probably."

Firefighters were treated to slightly cooler weather Sunday with the addition of a breeze, but temperatures remained between 80 and 90 degrees, Iskow said.

"It's good fire weather. It's still all about the fuels and wind. It will be an ongoing story."

More than 1,750 firefighters with 117 engines and six air tankers fought the blaze Sunday with no estimated date of containment.

The two injuries from the helicopter crash brought the number of injuries to 13. Eight of those injuries were caused by heat exhaustion.

The Zaca Lake Fire has also caused road closures. Happy Canyon Road was closed to the east of Baseline Road and Figueroa Mountain Road was closed east at Highway 154.

In addition, the Figueroa Recreation Area, South Fork of La Brea area and portions of the San Rafael Wilderness continued to be closed as of Sunday night.

The fire was caused by sparks from a grinding operation that sparked dry vegetation on private land in Bell Canyon west of Zaca Lake, investigators have discovered.

Fire weather watch in effect from 5 pm pdt this afternoon through tuesday morning

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 12:14 PM CDT

[EDIS] Fire weather watch in effect from 5 pm pdt this afternoon through tuesday morning for the possibility of scattered thunderstorms with dry lightning

SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE MOUNTAIN TOP AND FRONT COUNTRY RANGER DISTRICTS OFTHE SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE SAN JACINTO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE SAN BERNARDINONATIONAL FOREST-SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE TRABUCO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE CLEVELAND NATIONALFOREST-VICTOR VALLEY-APPLE VALLEY-LUCERNE VALLEY-YUCCA VALLEY-MORONGO VALLEY-COACHELLA VALLEY-INCLUDING THE PALM SPRINGS SOUTH COAST DESERT DISTRICT-SAN DIEGO COUNTY DESERTS-INCLUDING THE ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK-

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. A TROPICAL WAVE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT MAY GENERATE SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THAT WOULD LAST INTO TUESDAY MORNING. THE AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN QUITE DRY BETWEEN 1500 FEET AND 15000 FEET THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING....MAKING WETTING RAINS UNLIKELY...AND DRY LIGHTNING POSSIBLE OVER MUCH OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA. WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS AT ELEVATIONS BELOW 1500 FEET THE MARINE LAYER IS EXPECTED TO KEEP THE AIR MASS MOIST ENOUGH TO SUPPRESS ANY LIGHTNING STARTED FIRES. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO FORM AGAIN TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY... HOWEVER THE AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO BE MOIST ENOUGH TO GENERATE WETTING RAINS...WHICH WOULD LOWER THE THREAT OF DRY LIGHTNING AND EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE MOUNTAIN TOP AND FRONT COUNTRY RANGER DISTRICTS OFTHE SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE SAN JACINTO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE SAN BERNARDINONATIONAL FOREST-SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE TRABUCO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE CLEVELAND NATIONALFOREST-VICTOR VALLEY-APPLE VALLEY-LUCERNE VALLEY-YUCCA VALLEY-MORONGO VALLEY-COACHELLA VALLEY-INCLUDING THE PALM SPRINGS SOUTH COAST DESERT DISTRICT-SAN DIEGO COUNTY DESERTS-INCLUDING THE ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Orange, Imperial, Los Angeles,

Sent: 2007-07-09T09:54:15-07:00

[EDIS] Red flag warning today for dry lightning over San Diego county

Posted: 09 Jul 2007 12:11 PM CDT

[EDIS] red flag warning today for dry lightning over san diego county mountains... ... fire weather watch this evening through tuesday morning for dry lightning over valleys... mountains... and deserts

SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE PALOMAR AND DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICTS OF THECLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST-

.AIR MASS BECOMING UNSTABLE AS TROPICAL WAVE APPROACHES FROM THE SOUTHEAST. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY OVER SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS BY MIDDAY. THUNDERSTORMS MAY CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT AS THE TROPICAL WAVES MOVES ACROSS THE AREA. HOWEVER THE DEEP MOISTURE NOT EXPECTED TO ARRIVE UNTIL UNTIL TUESDAY AFTERNOON... SO ANY LIGHTNING BEFORE THEN WILL LIKELY BE DRY. ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR DRY LIGHTNING... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY LIGHTNING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO FORM OVER THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS BY LATE MORNING AND INCREASE TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. DRY LIGHTNING IS LIKELY TO OCCUR FROM THESE THUNDERSTORMS. THUNDERSTORMS MAY CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT AND TUESDAY MORNING. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WOULD ALSO CONTAIN DRY LIGHTNING. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO FORM AGAIN TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...AND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. HOWEVER THE AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO BE MOIST ENOUGH TO GENERATE WETTING RAINS...WHICH SHOULD LOWER THE THREAT OF DRY LIGHTNING AND EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY THAT WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE PALOMAR AND DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICTS OF THECLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Orange, Imperial, Los Angeles,

Sent: 2007-07-09T09:54:14-07:00

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007